The Chief Executive is the head of the Government of the HKSAR. The Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary or the Secretary for Justice deputise for the Chief Executive during his temporary absence.

There are currently 11 bureaux, each headed by a Director of Bureau, which collectively form the Government Secretariat. There are 61 departments and agencies whose heads are responsible to the Directors of Bureaux for the direction of their departments and the efficient implementation of approved policies. The exceptions are the Audit Commission, the independence of which is safeguarded by having the Director's report submitted directly to the Legislative Council; and the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Office of The Ombudsman, whose independence is safeguarded by having the Commissioner's and The Ombudsman's reports submitted directly to the Chief Executive.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice and the 11 Directors of Bureaux (also known as Secretaries of Bureaux) are politically appointed Principal Officials. They are held accountable for matters falling within their respective portfolios.

Role of the Chief Secretary for Administration

The Chief Secretary for Administration is the leading Principal Official in the HKSAR Government. He is a member of the Executive Council and the most senior official to deputise for the Chief Executive when the latter is not able to discharge his duties for a short period.

The Chief Secretary for Administration supports the Chief Executive in administering Hong Kong and advises him on policy matters. He plays an important role in policy coordination, which is particularly important in areas that cut across policy bureaux. The Chief Secretary for Administration is also responsible for specific priority areas of the Chief Executive's policy agenda, and forging a closer and more effective working relationship with the Legislative Council and drawing up the Government's legislative programme. He also exercises statutory functions vested in him by law, such as those concerning the handling of appeals and certain public bodies.

Role of the Financial Secretary

The Financial Secretary's primary responsibility is to assist the Chief Executive in overseeing policy formulation and implementation in financial, monetary, economic, trade and employment matters. He exercises control over the Exchange Fund with the assistance of the Monetary Authority. He is a member of the Executive Council.

The Financial Secretary is also in charge of the Government Budget. He is responsible under the Public Finance Ordinance for laying before the Legislative Council each year the Government's estimates of revenue and expenditure. In his annual budget speech, he outlines the Government's vision and policies for sustainable economic development, and he presents budgetary proposals and moves the Appropriation Bill, which gives legal effect to the annual expenditure proposals contained in the Budget.

Central Policy Unit

The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and reports directly to them.

The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concern groups, and the academic community. It undertakes in-depth examinations of complex policy issues, including research on the Pearl River Delta, analyses options, takes soundings of community feedback and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. The unit is responsible for coordinating the annual Policy Address exercise. It also provides secretariat support for the Commission on Strategic Development.

Efficiency Unit

The Efficiency Unit reports directly to the Chief Secretary for Administration and is tasked with pursuing the Government's commitment to public sector reform. The aim is to continuously improve the management and delivery of public services so that the community's needs are met in the most effective and efficient manner. The unit works in partnership with bureaux and departments to identify opportunities for performance enhancement, develop compelling business cases, provide solutions and secure effective implementation.

The unit has played a major role in many important reform initiatives such as the creation of trading funds; outsourcing of public services and the design and implementation of an integrated call centre to improve the delivery of cross-functional government services. The unit has also helped government bureaux and departments become more efficient by using new technology and private sector innovation and resources. The unit is now developing a programme in support of the Government's 'people-based governance' policy. The programme includes a district-based approach to service delivery and one-stop access to cross-functional government services.

Sustainable Development Unit

The Sustainable Development Unit, established under the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, promotes sustainable development in both the Government and the community and provides secretariat support to the Council for Sustainable Development.

The council was appointed by the Chief Executive in March 2003 to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong. The council carried out its first community engagement exercise in 2004 to consult stakeholders on sustainability issues in three pilot areas: solid waste management, renewable energy and urban living space. In response to the council's findings and recommendations, the Government published in May 2005 a document, the First Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong, setting out the strategic objectives, targets and action plans for these three areas.

The council also administers the Sustainable Development Fund, which has so far allocated over $12.5 million in grants to 14 community organisations.

One of the unit's major tasks is to oversee the implementation of a sustainability assessment system within the Government to facilitate the integration of sustainability considerations in the decision-making process. All bureaux and departments are required to conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and programmes and explain the sustainability implications in their submissions to the Executive Council.